Shannon Lusk
Director

She/Her

AMI Montessori Administrators Certificate

I fell in love with McMinnville Montessori as soon as I had my interview. It felt like a natural fit as the Montessori philosophy lines up with how I raise my two girls, Madison and Alexis. I started as a classroom assistant and moved into the director position in fall of 2023. The MMS community feels like home. I am so excited to be here I love getting to know the students.

I previously lived in Tillamook, OR (yes, the cheese!) I worked for the Tillamook County Family YMCA from 2004-2022. I worked as a lifeguard, swim lesson instructor, and coach for high school and USA YMCA swim teams. Eventually I took the Aquatics Director position and managed the entire department. I am also a certified American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED instructor and lifeguard instructor.

I live in Sherwood with my two girls, my husband, and our dog, Sage. We enjoy spending family time together, going camping, hiking, swimming, and appreciating the simple things in life.

learning@mcminnvillemontessori.com

Anne Wilson
River Room Guide

She/Her

AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest

I have worked with children in different settings for most of my life. In 2017 I accepted a teacher’s assistant position here at MMS. I continued in that position until 2022, when I accepted the school’s offer to sponsor my AMI training at Montessori Northwest and started as the teacher of the River Room! I graduated from MNW in June of 2023. I am dedicated to this community and school, and have found my passion for teaching within the Montessori method. In my time away from school, I like to spend time with my husband and four children. I also love to sew, garden, take care of my indoor plants, camp, listen to audiobooks, sing and hang out with my family who live nearby. I grew up in Newberg, and continue to live near my childhood home.

Amelia Combes
Forest Room Guide

She/Her

AMI Primary Diploma from Montessori Northwest

I have been a proud McMinnville Montessori School parent since my son Garrison joined the elementary in 2021. As a parent I was deeply grateful that McMinnville Montessori was a place that I could trust to foster my child’s growth both academically and as a compassionate member of society. I was delighted to join the Forest Room community as a Guide this year. My previous experience working with children spans over a decade. I have been privileged to encourage functional independence in Montessori toddler programs, facilitated inclusion as a SPED IA with the McMinnville school district, and led a Children's House community at The Austin Montessori school. I received my AMI Primary certificate from Montessori Northwest in 2018.

In quiet moments I like to snuggle on my couch with a mug of tea and a book or a much abused, rarely completed crochet project. I have a noisy, happy home with my son Garrison, husband Jeffrey, and a hound dog named Cleo.

Katie Massey
Elementary House Guide

She/They

AMI Elementary Diploma from Montessori Northwest
Bachelors of Science, Biology, PSU

I am moving into my second decade in Montessori education and my love for this way of existing has only grown. It's absolutely beautiful watching children eagerly hurrying into the classroom in the morning, full of work they're eager to do. Seeing them learn, grow, and support each other in our elementary community over the course of their 6 years with us is what this work is all about for me. I am an enthusiastic proponent of lifelong learning, and really enjoy sharing that joy with the children.

In my private life, I like to read - mainly testing books for classroom read aloud, spend time at home with our pets, dive into just about all the types of handwork that exist, make good food, and spend time in nature.

Austin Massey
Elementary House Assistant

They/Them

AMI Elementary Training at Montessori Northwest

I've had a long work history doing many different things over the years and I find that being a generalist has suited me quite well for teaching elementary. Being homeschooled, I started working when I was 7. Which might sound strange, but my mom cleaned houses and I went with her. So I learned early that work is just something that everyone does (and what 7 year old doesn't want $5 a week?). Montessori education has always made sense to me, because we understand that the children's work is to be in the classroom, and to learn how to be themselves first and foremost. We educate the whole child, not just training them on how to pass a test.

When Katie was teaching at her previous job at Journey Montessori in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I started volunteering my time for camping trips and outings. During that time I also worked part time at the Montessori adolescent Farm school, Camino De Paz, in Espanola, NM. In Katie's second year at Journey Montessori School, I started running a Dungeons & Dragons aftercare program. It's a great experience that involves communal storytelling, social skills, math, reading, and writing. It's a nice reminder that you can find lessons in many things, not just places you expect to find them.

Kristina Ramirez
Administrative Assistant

She/Her

I have been the assistant in the Forest Room since the fall of 2022. I worked as an in-home nanny for 5 years in McMinnville. Before that I volunteered in school classrooms for about 6 years and fell in love working with the preschool age group. I knew that someday when my children were older I would like to work in a preschool. Now that day has come and I have found a job here at McMinnville Montessori where I've learned so much about Montessori. The best part of the job is getting to see the children each day.

When I'm not at school I like to work in my yard and spend time with my two sons. We like to go camping and to the beach. The Oregon Coast and Seattle are some of my favorite places to visit when I have time to get away.

Kurt Frisch
Bookkeeper

He/Him

Kurt Frisch is bookkeeper by trade and took over this role as of March 2024. He is a father of two who are currently enrolled in the elementary house and has years of experience doing bookkeeping services in Yamhill County. He can be reached directly at- business@mcminnvillemontessori.com

Denille Vanwinkle
Forest Room Assistant

They/Them

I have enjoyed working with kids since 2021, I’ve worked in licensed center child care programs, and have been a private childcare provider. I am a proud aunt to many children and love spending my time with them. I love watching kids build their skills and develop their personalities as they grow, this is something I look forward to this coming school year. 

In my own time I enjoy spending time with my Guinea pigs, cat and partner who works as a teacher at the Mcminnville highschool, I look forward to learning more about our community and building relationships.

Brock Upchurch
Elementary Assistant

He / Him

I am really excited to work with McMinnville Montessori! I am from Burlingame, California, and was educated in Ashland through Southern Oregon University. I have been working in education since graduating, working with all ages from PreK-5th grade. I am excited to work with everyone at the team and develop more in my teaching experience. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends, hiking, or simply hunkering down with a good story.

Natasha Green
River Room Assistant

She / Her

I was very curious about McMinnville Montessori from what I saw on the website and felt as though their philosophy and vision aligned seamlessly with my own teaching style. I fell in love with the atmosphere my first time visiting and am grateful to now be the Assistant in the River Room. 

I moved to Oregon in December of 2016 and found my way to teaching by the Spring of 2018. Children’s natural enthusiasm for life is inspiring and I’m so passionate about creating space for them to blossom into their own little beings! Teaching has always come naturally to me and I believe most of that is because of my dad, he raised me with unconditional love and support and has always been my best friend. 

I’m excited to learn more about the Montessori way and be part of the MMS family! When I’m not in the classroom I love to read, run, hike, backpack and just enjoy nature :) My boyfriend and I have been together since May of 2018 and we have a beautiful Rottweiler named Scout (named after my favorite character from To Kill a Mockingbird) 

Taylor Stone
Primary and Aftercare Assistant

She/Her

I am so happy to be working here at McMinnville Montessori! I grew up in Bend, Oregon and have been living in Monmouth for the past 5 years. I just graduated from Western this past June. I love working with children, especially the age group I work with in the Children's House. I am very thankful to have this job to help further my learning in educating children. I love cooking, traveling, and spending time with my friends in my free time. 

Jazlyn Whitlow
Primary and Aftercare Assistant

She/Her

I am a lifelong McMinnville resident. I worked at Bear Hugs for all four years of high school and continued my work in childcare after graduating. I joined the McMinnville Montessori team in 2023.

I like to walk my dog, bake, cook, and spend time with my family in my spare time.

Kayla Tapia
Aftercare Lead and Float

She / Her

I have been working in child care since 2019 and enjoy being a part of the development of the children in my care. I have volunteered at a child care at Church on the Hill as a young adult and I have a child of my own. As a child I had a dream of owning my own child care facility and this is a way I can be part of something similar! I'm happy to be part of MMS!

I grew up in McMinnville, I have lived in other towns as an adult but always seem to come back here. In my free time I like to make crafts or paint and spend time with my daughter and our cat. 

Class Mascot – Elementary House

She/Her

Hi, my name is Ezri. I am a cute 7 year old pup, and I love to play. I hang out in the Elementary House, where I watch lessons, sleep on the floor, and give cuddles to anyone who is feeling sad. I enjoy sitting in the comfy chair while children read to me, and playing when we have recess in the field. I love watching sunlight bounce off of sequin shirts, and watching the other classroom pets roam around.